Finding and Preparing for the Right Job from Coursera

Finding and preparing for the right job in the DS/AI field can be tricky. In this course, we will explore how the job market has vastly different descriptions for the same job title, how to identify what a company is really looking for, and how to search the “hidden” job market. We will also overview major skills areas experts recommend revisiting before applying for jobs in this field, how to tailor your resume to catch the eye of a DS/AI hiring manager, and how to create a stellar portfolio. Finally, we will discuss the importance of marketing yourself and tips and tricks on how to do it well.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Decipher job descriptions with the same titles to discern the different skill sets needed.

• Recall the major skill areas experts recommend revisiting and identify which skills to refresh in preparation for DS/AI applications and interviews.

• Make their portfolio and resume stand out by applying tips specific to the field.

• Recognize how to market themselves and how career fairs, connecting with recruiters, and networking can help.

• Describe what kind of networking is beneficial in this field.

What's inside

Syllabus

The Job Search

Welcome to Module 1, The Job Search. In this module, we will overview DS/AI-specific job-search strategies including how to tell what a company is really looking for no matter the job title. We will also practice how to conduct a targeted job search and identify the “hidden” job market. Finally, we will compare two job postings with the same title and identify the differences in skill expectations and descriptions.

Skills to Brush Up On

Welcome to Module 2, Skills to Brush Up On. In this module, we will identify the major skills areas experts recommend revisiting before applying for data science jobs. We will also list what specific skills should be studied for each of the four major data science job categories. In our group discussion, we will identify and share what skills we personally plan to brush up on and why.

Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters

Welcome to Module 3, Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters. In this module, we will discuss the importance of portfolios and resumes as well as the surprising lack of importance of cover letters for this field. We will also identify specific tips and tricks to improve your resume and overview what should be included in a portfolio to make you stand out. Finally, we will apply the module’s core concepts to update our own resumes, portfolios, and cover letters.

Marketing Yourself

Welcome to Module 4, Marketing Yourself. In this module, we will explain why marketing yourself is an important key to landing interviews in your desired field. We will learn how to market yourself, including how to connect with recruiters, how to build your online presence, and why and how to attend career fairs. In our group discussion, we will describe what kind of networking is beneficial in this field and one new strategy we plan to implement to better market ourselves.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on AI/DS

In-demand skills for AI/DS

Experienced instructors

Builds a strong foundation for AI/DS

Reviews of AI/DS skills for experts

Provides a comprehensive approach to AI/DS job search

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Finding and Preparing for the Right Job with these activities:

Practice Coding Challenges

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Coding challenges will help you refine your programming skills and prepare for technical interviews

Browse courses on Coding

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Solve coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank
Analyze solutions and learn from different approaches
Time yourself and track your progress

Read 'Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras, and TensorFlow'

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This book provides valuable insights and best practices for implementing machine learning algorithms in Python

View Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn,... on Amazon

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Connect with Industry Experts

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Seeking guidance from experienced professionals will accelerate your learning and provide valuable career advice

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Identify potential mentors through networking events or online platforms
Reach out and introduce yourself
Schedule regular meetings to seek advice and guidance

Five other activities

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Attend Industry Meetups and Conferences

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Networking with professionals in the field will provide valuable insights into current trends and job opportunities

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Research industry events and meetups
Prepare an elevator pitch
Connect with attendees and exchange information

Practice Data Visualization Exercises

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Drawing graphs and tables will aid your comprehension of complex relationships within datasets

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Select interesting datasets from online repositories
Visualize the data using different tools
Interpret the results and draw meaningful insights

Follow Tutorials on Deep Learning Frameworks

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Working with frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch will familiarize you with industry-standard tools and techniques

Browse courses on Deep Learning

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Choose a framework (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
Follow structured tutorials to build models
Experiment with different architectures and hyperparameters

Solve Machine Learning Challenge Problems

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Challenge problems will help you apply theory to real-world scenarios and enhance your problem-solving abilities

Browse courses on Machine Learning

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Participate in online challenges or hackathons
Attempt data analysis and modeling tasks
Build and evaluate your models on various datasets

Build a Portfolio Project

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Creating a portfolio project will showcase your skills and serve as a valuable asset in your job search

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Identify a problem or opportunity
Gather data and explore it
Build and train models
Deploy the model and monitor its performance

Career center

Learners who complete Finding and Preparing for the Right Job will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

As the role of a Data Scientist, you may find yourself working on a wide range of projects, from developing models identifying fraudulent transactions, to building data pipelines that automate complex processes. This course is a comprehensive overview of skills like data analysis, machine learning, and programming that comprise the core of a Data Scientist's responsibilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers are responsible for understanding business needs and translating them into high-performing machine learning models. This course can help Machine Learning Engineers develop the skills they need for tasks such as building, testing, and deploying machine learning systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts often face the challenge of making sense of large quantities of data to uncover valuable and actionable insights for decision-makers. To excel as a Data Analyst, strong foundations in statistical methods, data mining, data visualization, and data management are required. This course will strengthen these pillars of data analysis to help you succeed in a role of this nature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians are skilled at finding patterns in data, collecting data, and organizing data in ways that make it understandable. This course is a valuable addition to the skill set of a Statistician, covering topics such as statistical methods, probability theory, and data mining. It can be especially beneficial for those interested in specializing in Data Science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that processes, stores, and analyzes the large quantities of data that drive modern businesses. This course can help Data Engineers refine their skills in data modeling, data warehousing, data integration, and programming. With these skills, you can excel in the design and implementation of data management solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Business Analyst

A key responsibility of a Business Analyst is understanding the business needs of an organization and translating those needs into actionable solutions. This course can equip Business Analysts with an understanding of data analysis techniques and how to apply them to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are expected to be adept in various programming languages, software design principles, and development methodologies. This course can help Software Engineers strengthen their understanding of data structures, algorithms, and design patterns commonly used in the field. While not specific to software engineering, these topics are essential to the toolkit of any successful Software Engineer.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining, prioritizing, and managing the development and launch of new products or features. This course can equip Product Managers with the knowledge of data analysis, market research, and customer behavior that will enable them to make data-driven decisions and build products that meet the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts are responsible for analyzing data to help make better business decisions. This course can help Quantitative Analysts gain a solid foundation in data analysis, statistics, and programming, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Research Analyst

Research Analysts are responsible for conducting research and analyzing data to help make informed decisions. This course can help Research Analysts acquire a strong foundation in data analysis, research methods, and statistics. It can be beneficial for those interested in specializing in Data Science or Market Research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Marketing Analyst

Marketing Analysts are responsible for analyzing marketing data to help plan and execute marketing campaigns. This course can help Marketing Analysts understand the basics of data analysis, data visualization, and market research. This knowledge can enhance their ability to effectively plan, execute, and measure the success of marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data, building financial models, and providing insights to financial professionals. This course could be beneficial for Financial Analysts to familiarize themselves with data analysis tools and techniques, which can enhance their ability to analyze data and make more informed recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Operations Analyst

Operations Analysts are responsible for analyzing data to help improve business operations. This course can help Operations Analysts build a stronger foundation in data analysis, process improvement, and project management. It will strengthen their ability to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions that lead to better business outcomes.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts are responsible for analyzing data to identify and assess risks. This course can help Risk Analysts develop the necessary skills to collect, analyze, and interpret data. It will provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively identify and assess risks and make informed recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Human Resources Analyst

Human Resources Analysts are responsible for analyzing data to help manage human resources. This course can help Human Resources Analysts develop the skills to collect, analyze, and interpret data. It will provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage human resources and make data-driven decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Analyst